6 Critical Factors in Selecting the Best Local Law Firm to Represent You
Where you shop for lunch could be the difference between a few dollars and some subpar flavor.
Where you shop for a mechanic could be the difference between a stellar road trip or a non-existent one.
But where you shop for a law firm could be the difference between future prosperity or a life-changing problem that ruins your finances and takes years to resolve.
Listed below are the six critical factors to consider in selecting the best local law firm, and one that will protect you and fight for your future prosperity.
“Picking a local firm to represent you or your business is not something to ever take lightly. From how a firm handles settlements and alternative dispute resolutions to how its attorneys conduct themselves as emotional, relatable people, every factor matters. Deeply consider the six factors in this blog article and you’ll be confident and ready to find the firm that suits you best. Good luck!” - Tyler
1. A Custom Client Approach
Photo by Jason Goodman on unsplash.com
To receive a cheap, templated approach to your legal situation, you might turn to an electronic legal service or type the details of your scenario into a search engine. This would undoubtedly supply you with a few useful steps and maybe some downloadable documents. Yet, this approach would not be nearly as effective as personalized legal counsel.
If you are hiring a local law firm, they should offer a wholly tailored approach to your problem—be it a personal or business one. Good lawyers ask questions. And to determine a team of suitable lawyers for you or your business, you will need to ask a few questions too.
To gauge the quality of service of a local firm, ask a few qualifying questions in your initial consultation, such as:
“How often do you deal with matters like mine? Can you walk me through the outcome of a similar case your team handled in the past?”
“I’m considering a few different firms right now, how exactly would your team treat my problem? What would be the first step if I hired X firm?”
“Do any of the attorneys on your team specialize or have previous experience in this area of law?”
“What makes your team’s approach superior to others in town? Why should I hire X law firm?”
“What will it cost to get a thorough evaluation of my case?”
2. Experience and Employment History
Like everyone else, lawyers have a past. This includes the areas of law they have studied and previous clients they have served.
Here at Figueroa Law, we practice all areas of law except for family and criminal. And we are honest and upfront about the areas we can or cannot operate effectively in.
We confidently handle corporate and small business matters on a regular basis as well as civil litigation, land use, trusts, and estates.
A well-rounded law firm will be considered generalists, meaning that they have previous experience in all sorts of matters and situations and can quickly assess your needs.
We are clear at the outset on what types of matters we will or will not take on and we believe all good law firms should operate in this manner. It is this upfront clarity that allows us to best serve our current roster of clients and avoid bringing on even one client who we are not certain we can serve at the highest level.
What types of cases a firm has dealt with in the past, what the outcomes were, and who they currently serve within the community are all factors worth looking into.
If you need legal counsel in Santa Barbara, California, give us a call. We can quickly determine if our firm is the right fit for you. You have nothing to lose.
3. Local Knowledge & Insights
You would not want even the most reputable law firm in Reno, Nevada representing you or your business if you lived in Santa Barbara, California. Furthermore, you may not even want the best firm 25 miles south in Ventura, California to represent you.
Hyper-local knowledge and understanding is a powerful and necessary factor in selecting your law firm.
Attuned, local firms with their ears to the ground are up to date on tiny, nuanced laws, regulations, and specific topics such as zoning and contracts that must be considered to comply with local governing authorities.
4. Cost & Pricing Structure
Different firms bill and charge in different ways. At some point, you will likely be asked to sign a price schedule to get started.
Before you sign anything, make certain someone from the firm has explained the firm’s pricing details. It is important to know when you will be prompted to make payments and how much you will be charged depending on the length and semantics of your situation.
If you are a small business owner hiring a local firm for ongoing work, gather all the necessary details regarding monthly retainer fees or other types of costs your business will incur.
5. Reputation
There are no factors more important than a firm’s reputation.
Reputation is built over time. It is built through earning the trust of clients over and over. It is built on testimonials and positive word-of-mouth referrals. A firm's reputation is an accurate and authentic indicator of what it will be like to work with them.
Today, you have comprehensive resources at your fingertips to locate clear, clarifying information on any business in your community.
Take the time to read Google reviews, Yelp reviews, and other local sites to see what previous clients say about a firm. What sort of settlement or alternative dispute resolution did they receive? How thorough and detailed was the firm in handling a client’s matter or case?
6. Attorneys Who Are People Too
Legal experience and strategy aside, we always recommend hiring a firm with attorneys you like and feel comfortable interacting with.
Your lawyer will likely be privy to sensitive details and information about your personal life or your small business. Furthermore, you’ll be spending ample time in-person or on the phone with your lawyer, discussing and dissecting the nuanced details of your matter or case.
Ideally, you want to not only be able to trust your lawyer, but to see them as a person too. To be able to confide in them and provide them with the full, unrestricted scope of your situation.
Building a real bond with your lawyer works to your advantage. If your lawyer sees you as a collaborative, level-headed client, and someone who is pleasant to work with, they will want to fight harder for you and get you the outcome you deserve.
